US20100240474A1 - Golf ball dimple profile - Google Patents
Golf ball dimple profile Download PDFInfo
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- US20100240474A1 US20100240474A1 US12/407,824 US40782409A US2010240474A1 US 20100240474 A1 US20100240474 A1 US 20100240474A1 US 40782409 A US40782409 A US 40782409A US 2010240474 A1 US2010240474 A1 US 2010240474A1
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- dimple
- saucer
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/0003—Golf balls
- A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/0003—Golf balls
- A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
- A63B37/0012—Dimple profile, i.e. cross-sectional view
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/0003—Golf balls
- A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
- A63B37/0016—Specified individual dimple volume
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/0003—Golf balls
- A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
- A63B37/0019—Specified dimple depth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
- A63B37/0003—Golf balls
- A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
- A63B37/002—Specified dimple diameter
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a golf ball, and more particularly, to the cross-sectional profile of dimples on the surface of a golf ball.
- Drag is the air resistance that acts on the golf ball in the opposite direction from the ball flight direction.
- the air surrounding the ball has different velocities and, thus, different pressures.
- the air exerts maximum pressure at the stagnation point on the front of the ball.
- the air then flows over the sides of the ball and has increased velocity and reduced pressure. At some point it separates from the surface of the ball, leaving a large turbulent flow area called the wake that has low pressure.
- the difference in the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball slows the ball down. This is the primary source of drag for a golf ball.
- the dimples on the ball create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball, i.e., the air in a thin layer adjacent to the ball flows in a turbulent manner.
- the turbulence energizes the boundary layer and helps it stay attached further around the ball to reduce the area of the wake. This greatly increases the pressure behind the ball and substantially reduces the drag.
- Lift is the upward force on the ball that is created from a difference in pressure on the top of the ball to the bottom of the ball.
- the difference in pressure is created by a warpage in the air flow resulting from the ball's back spin. Due to the back spin, the top of the ball moves with the air flow, which delays the separation to a point further aft. Conversely, the bottom of the ball moves against the air flow, moving the separation point forward. This asymmetrical separation creates an arch in the flow pattern, requiring the air over the top of the ball to move faster, and thus have lower pressure than the air underneath the ball.
- dimple shape In addition to researching dimple pattern and size, golf ball manufacturers also study the effect of dimple shape, volume, and cross-section on overall flight performance of the ball.
- Conventional dimples are the shape of a section of a sphere. These profiles rely on essentially two independent parameters to fully define the dimple shape: diameter and depth (chordal or surface). Edge angle is often discussed when describing spherical dimple profiles but is not independent of diameter and depth. However, it is more commonly used in place of depth when describing spherical dimple shapes.
- Spherical dimples have a volume ratio (V R ) around 0.5 (see below for definition). For purposes of aerodynamic performance, it is desirable to have additional control of dimple shape by varying edge angle independently from dimple diameter and depth.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,162 discloses a golf ball dimple comprising a top truncated cone part and a bottom bowl-shaped part. However, this dimple has a sharp demarcation line between these two portions of the dimples which shows a great distinction between them.
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,168, 4,970,747, 5,016,887, and 6,454,668 mention dimples having a frusto-conical or truncated cone portion but do not combine that with a bottom spherical portion.
- the present invention is directed to a golf ball dimple comprising a top conical edge, a bottom spherical cap, and a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap is less than about 2°.
- the dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (S r ) and edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ).
- the saucer ratio (S r ) is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (D D ) to saucer diameter or spherical cap diameter (D S ), and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and about 0.75.
- the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) is defined as an angle between a first line T 1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T 2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
- the present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a generally spherical surface and a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the surface. At least one of the dimples comprises a top conical edge, a bottom spherical cap, and a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap at the point of tangency is less than about 2°.
- the dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (S r ) and edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ).
- the saucer ratio (S r ) is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (D D ) to saucer diameter or spherical cap diameter (D S ), and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and 0.75.
- the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) is defined as an angle between a first line T 1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T 2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dimple profile according to this invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred method for measuring the edge angle of a dimple
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred method for measuring the chord depth of a dimple
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another dimple profile according to this invention.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another dimple profile according to this invention.
- the present invention concerns a golf ball with dimples having a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical base shape and a spherical cap with a prescribed point of tangency to the cone sidewall.
- the conical profiles of the present invention are defined by three parameters: dimple diameter (D D ), edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ), and saucer ratio (S r ) which is a measure of the relative curvature of the dimple bottom. These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a dimple 10 on a golf ball 20 having an outer spherical surface with a phantom portion 30 and an undimpled land area 40 .
- a rotational axis 50 vertically traverses the center of dimple 10 .
- the dimple 10 comprises a top conical edge 12 (an edge with no radius) and a bottom spherical cap 14 . More particularly, the dimple diameter (D D ) that defines the phantom spherical outer surface 30 acts as the base of a right circular cone. From that base, a conical edge 12 forms the top portion of the dimple 10 .
- the bottom of dimple 10 is defined by a spherical cap 14 .
- the diameter of the bottom spherical cap 14 is also referred to as the saucer diameter (D S ) and is preferably concentric with the dimple diameter (D D ).
- dimple 10 has a defined tangent point 16 , wherein the straight conical edge 12 meets the spherical bottom cap 14 .
- the tangent point 16 is determined by the saucer diameter (D S ) and the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) of the dimple, which is defined below.
- D S saucer diameter
- ⁇ EDGE edge angle
- the difference in the slope of the straight conical edge 12 and the slope of the spherical arcuate cap 14 which is the slope of a line tangent to cap 14 at point 16 , will be less than 2°, preferably less than 1°, and more preferably the slopes will be about equal at that connection to ensure tangency at that location.
- dimple diameter D D
- S r saucer ratio
- the value of S r preferably falls in the range of about 0.05 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.75, preferably about 0.10 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.70, more preferably about 0.15 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.65, more preferably about 0.20 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.60, more preferably about 0.25 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.55, more preferably about 0.30 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.50, and more preferably about 0.35 ⁇ S r ⁇ 0.45.
- S r is less than 0.05 then the manufacturing of dimple 10 becomes more difficult, and the sharp point at the bottom of the dimple can diminish the aerodynamic qualities of golf ball 20 and is susceptible to paint flooding. If S r is greater than 0.75 then it too closely resembles the shape of a spherical dimple and the qualities of conical dimples to adjust the flight performance of the golf ball 20 is diminished.
- the third parameter to adjust the dimple shape can either be the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) or the chord depth (d CHORD ). Both parameters are dependent upon one another.
- the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) is defined as the angle between a first tangent line T 1 and a second tangent line T 2 , which can be measured as shown in FIG. 2 .
- a ball phantom surface 30 is constructed above the dimple 10 as a continuation of land surface 40 .
- first tangent line T 1 is a line that is tangent to conical edge 12 at a point P 2 that is spaced about 0.0030 inches radially inward from the phantom surface 30 .
- T 1 intersects phantom surface 30 at a point P 1 , which defines a nominal edge position.
- the second tangent line T 2 is constructed as being tangent to the phantom surface 30 at P 1 .
- the edge angle is the angle between T 1 and T 2 .
- the point P 1 can also be used to measure the dimple radius (R D ) to be the distance from P 1 to the rotational axis 50 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a method of measuring the chord depth (d CHORD ). As illustrated therein, the chord depth (d CHORD ) is measured as the distance from the theoretical cone base, denoted by the line marking dimple diameter (D D ), to the bottom of the dimple.
- D D line marking dimple diameter
- ⁇ CAP sin ⁇ 1 ( D D /D B )
- ⁇ CHORD tan ⁇ 1 ⁇ ( d CHORD ⁇ d SAUCER ) ⁇ ( R D ⁇ R S ) ⁇
- R D Dimple radius, (D D /2)
- R S Saucer radius, (D S /2)
- d CHORD d SAUCER +( R D ⁇ R S ) ⁇ tan[( ⁇ EDGE ⁇ cos ⁇ 1 ( D D / D B ) ⁇ ] (3)
- the volume ratio (V R ) preferably falls in the range of about 1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ V R ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2.
- the dimple volume (V D ) can be calculated by equation (4):
- V D [1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ R D 2 ( d CHORD )] ⁇ [1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ R S 2 ( d SAUCER )]+[ ⁇ ( d SAUCER )(3 R S 2 +d SAUCER 2 ) ⁇ 6] (4)
- V C The theoretical cylindrical volume (V C ) is the volume of a theoretical cylinder having a base diameter equal to that of the dimple diameter (D D ) and a height equal to the chord depth (d CHORD ) such that V C is calculated by equation (5):
- V C ⁇ R D 2 ( d CHORD ) (5)
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative examples of different dimple shapes 10 ′ and 10 ′′, respectively, in accordance with the present invention, wherein the saucer ratio (S r ) is changed but the edge angle ( ⁇ EDGE ) remains constant at a value of about 16°. More particularly, in FIG. 4 , dimple 10 ′ has a saucer ratio (S r ) of about 0.05, a chord depth (d CHORD ) of about 0.0152 in., and a volume ratio (V R ) of about 0.341.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a dimple 10 ′′ with a saucer ratio (S r ) of about 0.75, a chord depth (d CHORD ) of about 0 . 0097 in, and a volume ratio (V R ) of about 0.403.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a golf ball, and more particularly, to the cross-sectional profile of dimples on the surface of a golf ball.
- Golf balls were originally made with smooth outer surfaces. In the late nineteenth century, players observed that the guttie golf balls traveled further as they got older and more gouged up. The players then began to roughen the surface of new golf balls with a hammer to increase flight distance. Manufacturers soon caught on and began molding non-smooth outer surfaces on golf balls.
- By the mid 1900's , almost every golf ball being made had 336 dimples arranged in an octahedral pattern. Generally, these balls had about 60 percent of their outer surface covered by dimples. Over time, improvements in ball performance were developed by utilizing different dimple patterns. In 1983, for instance, Titleist introduced the TITLEIST 384, which had 384 dimples that were arranged in an icosahedral pattern. About 76 percent of its outer surface was covered with dimples. Today's dimpled golf balls travel nearly two times farther than a similar ball without dimples.
- The dimples on a golf ball are important in reducing drag and increasing lift. Drag is the air resistance that acts on the golf ball in the opposite direction from the ball flight direction. As the ball travels through the air, the air surrounding the ball has different velocities and, thus, different pressures. The air exerts maximum pressure at the stagnation point on the front of the ball. The air then flows over the sides of the ball and has increased velocity and reduced pressure. At some point it separates from the surface of the ball, leaving a large turbulent flow area called the wake that has low pressure. The difference in the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball slows the ball down. This is the primary source of drag for a golf ball.
- The dimples on the ball create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball, i.e., the air in a thin layer adjacent to the ball flows in a turbulent manner. The turbulence energizes the boundary layer and helps it stay attached further around the ball to reduce the area of the wake. This greatly increases the pressure behind the ball and substantially reduces the drag.
- Lift is the upward force on the ball that is created from a difference in pressure on the top of the ball to the bottom of the ball. The difference in pressure is created by a warpage in the air flow resulting from the ball's back spin. Due to the back spin, the top of the ball moves with the air flow, which delays the separation to a point further aft. Conversely, the bottom of the ball moves against the air flow, moving the separation point forward. This asymmetrical separation creates an arch in the flow pattern, requiring the air over the top of the ball to move faster, and thus have lower pressure than the air underneath the ball.
- Almost every golf ball manufacturer researches dimple patterns in order to increase the distance traveled by a golf ball. A high degree of dimple coverage is beneficial to flight distance, but only if the dimples are of a reasonable size. Dimple coverage gained by filling spaces with tiny dimples is not very effective, since tiny dimples are not good turbulence generators.
- In addition to researching dimple pattern and size, golf ball manufacturers also study the effect of dimple shape, volume, and cross-section on overall flight performance of the ball. Conventional dimples are the shape of a section of a sphere. These profiles rely on essentially two independent parameters to fully define the dimple shape: diameter and depth (chordal or surface). Edge angle is often discussed when describing spherical dimple profiles but is not independent of diameter and depth. However, it is more commonly used in place of depth when describing spherical dimple shapes. Spherical dimples have a volume ratio (VR) around 0.5 (see below for definition). For purposes of aerodynamic performance, it is desirable to have additional control of dimple shape by varying edge angle independently from dimple diameter and depth. This has been achieved in a number of ways. Examples include “dual radius,” dimple within a dimple, and catenary dimple profiles. These cross-sections allow for more control over spherical cross-sections and allow one to vary VR to optimize aerodynamic performance. With the exception of catenary profiles, the mathematical descriptions are cumbersome or do not result in smooth continuous dimple profiles.
- Several patents relate golf ball manufacturers' attempts to construct improved non-spherical golf ball dimples. U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,162 discloses a golf ball dimple comprising a top truncated cone part and a bottom bowl-shaped part. However, this dimple has a sharp demarcation line between these two portions of the dimples which shows a great distinction between them. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,168, 4,970,747, 5,016,887, and 6,454,668 mention dimples having a frusto-conical or truncated cone portion but do not combine that with a bottom spherical portion.
- Thus, there still remains a need to construct dimples with a conical portion having a smooth continuous profile and improved aerodynamic performance.
- In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball dimple comprising a top conical edge, a bottom spherical cap, and a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap is less than about 2°. The dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (Sr) and edge angle (ΦEDGE). The saucer ratio (Sr) is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (DD) to saucer diameter or spherical cap diameter (DS), and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and about 0.75. The edge angle (ΦEDGE) is defined as an angle between a first line T1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
- In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a generally spherical surface and a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the surface. At least one of the dimples comprises a top conical edge, a bottom spherical cap, and a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap at the point of tangency is less than about 2°. The dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (Sr) and edge angle (ΦEDGE). The saucer ratio (Sr) is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (DD) to saucer diameter or spherical cap diameter (DS), and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and 0.75. The edge angle (ΦEDGE) is defined as an angle between a first line T1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
- In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dimple profile according to this invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred method for measuring the edge angle of a dimple; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred method for measuring the chord depth of a dimple; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another dimple profile according to this invention; and -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another dimple profile according to this invention. - The present invention concerns a golf ball with dimples having a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical base shape and a spherical cap with a prescribed point of tangency to the cone sidewall. More particularly, the conical profiles of the present invention are defined by three parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (ΦEDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr) which is a measure of the relative curvature of the dimple bottom. These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating adimple 10 on agolf ball 20 having an outer spherical surface with aphantom portion 30 and anundimpled land area 40. Arotational axis 50 vertically traverses the center ofdimple 10. Thedimple 10 comprises a top conical edge 12 (an edge with no radius) and a bottomspherical cap 14. More particularly, the dimple diameter (DD) that defines the phantom sphericalouter surface 30 acts as the base of a right circular cone. From that base, aconical edge 12 forms the top portion of thedimple 10. The bottom ofdimple 10 is defined by aspherical cap 14. The diameter of the bottomspherical cap 14 is also referred to as the saucer diameter (DS) and is preferably concentric with the dimple diameter (DD). - In one innovative aspect of the present invention,
dimple 10 has a definedtangent point 16, wherein the straightconical edge 12 meets thespherical bottom cap 14. Thetangent point 16 is determined by the saucer diameter (DS) and the edge angle (ΦEDGE) of the dimple, which is defined below. At the definedtangent point 16, the difference in the slope of the straightconical edge 12 and the slope of the sphericalarcuate cap 14, which is the slope of a line tangent to cap 14 atpoint 16, will be less than 2°, preferably less than 1°, and more preferably the slopes will be about equal at that connection to ensure tangency at that location. - The ultimate shape of
dimple 10 is defined by three parameters. The first of these parameters is the dimple diameter (DD), and the second of these parameters is the saucer ratio (Sr), which is defined by equation (1): -
S r =D S /D D (1) - If Sr=0, then the dimple would be a cone with no spherical bottom radius, and if Sr=1, then the dimple is spherical. For the purpose of this invention, the value of Sr preferably falls in the range of about 0.05≦Sr≦0.75, preferably about 0.10≦Sr≦0.70, more preferably about 0.15≦Sr≦0.65, more preferably about 0.20≦Sr≦0.60, more preferably about 0.25≦Sr≦0.55, more preferably about 0.30≦Sr≦0.50, and more preferably about 0.35≦Sr≦0.45. If Sr is less than 0.05 then the manufacturing of
dimple 10 becomes more difficult, and the sharp point at the bottom of the dimple can diminish the aerodynamic qualities ofgolf ball 20 and is susceptible to paint flooding. If Sr is greater than 0.75 then it too closely resembles the shape of a spherical dimple and the qualities of conical dimples to adjust the flight performance of thegolf ball 20 is diminished. - The third parameter to adjust the dimple shape can either be the edge angle (ΦEDGE) or the chord depth (dCHORD). Both parameters are dependent upon one another. The edge angle (ΦEDGE) is defined as the angle between a first tangent line T1 and a second tangent line T2, which can be measured as shown in
FIG. 2 . Generally, it may be difficult to define and measure an edge angle (ΦEDGE) due to the indistinct nature of the boundary dividing thedimple 10 from the ball'sundisturbed land surface 40. Due to the effects of the paint and/or the dimple design itself, the junction between the land surface and dimple is not a sharp corner and is therefore indistinct. This can make the measurement of a dimple's edge angle (ΦEDGE) and radius (RD) somewhat ambiguous. Thus, as shown inFIG. 2 , to resolve this problem, a ballphantom surface 30 is constructed above thedimple 10 as a continuation ofland surface 40. - In
FIG. 2 , first tangent line T1 is a line that is tangent toconical edge 12 at a point P2 that is spaced about 0.0030 inches radially inward from thephantom surface 30. T1 intersectsphantom surface 30 at a point P1, which defines a nominal edge position. The second tangent line T2 is constructed as being tangent to thephantom surface 30 at P1. The edge angle is the angle between T1 and T2. The point P1 can also be used to measure the dimple radius (RD) to be the distance from P1 to therotational axis 50. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a method of measuring the chord depth (dCHORD). As illustrated therein, the chord depth (dCHORD) is measured as the distance from the theoretical cone base, denoted by the line marking dimple diameter (DD), to the bottom of the dimple. - With a desired chord depth (dCHORD), the edge angle (ΦEDGE) can be calculated by equation (2):
-
ΦEDGE=ΦCAP+ΦCHORD (2) - Where: ΦCAP=sin−1(D D /D B)
-
ΦCHORD=tan−1{(d CHORD −d SAUCER)÷(R D −R S)} - And: DB=Diameter of the golf ball
- RD=Dimple radius, (DD/2)
- RS=Saucer radius, (DS/2)
-
d SAUCER=saucer depth=r APEX−√{square root over ((r APEX 2 −R S 2))} -
r APEX =R S/sin(ΦCHORD) - Alternatively, if the edge angle (ΦEDGE) is known then the chord depth (dCHORD) can be calculated by equation (3):
-
d CHORD =d SAUCER+(R D −R S)×tan[(ΦEDGE−{cos−1(D D/D B)}] (3) - The
dimple 10 also has a volume ratio (VR), which is the ratio between the dimple volume (VD) and the theoretical cylindrical volume (VC). In other words, VR=VD:VC. The volume ratio (VR) preferably falls in the range of about ⅓≦VR≦½. The dimple volume (VD) can be calculated by equation (4): -
V D=[⅓πR D 2(d CHORD)]−[⅓πR S 2(d SAUCER)]+[π(d SAUCER)(3R S 2 +d SAUCER 2)÷6] (4) - The theoretical cylindrical volume (VC) is the volume of a theoretical cylinder having a base diameter equal to that of the dimple diameter (DD) and a height equal to the chord depth (dCHORD) such that VC is calculated by equation (5):
-
V C =πR D 2(d CHORD) (5) -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative examples of different dimple shapes 10′ and 10″, respectively, in accordance with the present invention, wherein the saucer ratio (Sr) is changed but the edge angle (ΦEDGE) remains constant at a value of about 16°. More particularly, inFIG. 4 , dimple 10′ has a saucer ratio (Sr) of about 0.05, a chord depth (dCHORD) of about 0.0152 in., and a volume ratio (VR) of about 0.341. By way of comparison,FIG. 5 illustrates adimple 10″ with a saucer ratio (Sr) of about 0.75, a chord depth (dCHORD) of about 0.0097 in, and a volume ratio (VR) of about 0.403. - While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives of the present invention, it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Additionally, feature(s) and/or element(s) from any embodiment may be used singly or in combination with other embodiment(s) and steps or elements from methods in accordance with the present invention can be executed or performed in any suitable order. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims (20)
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US12/407,824 US8137217B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2009-03-20 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US13/423,388 US8632426B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2012-03-19 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US14/159,755 US9220945B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2014-01-21 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US14/981,383 US9789363B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2015-12-28 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US15/784,286 US10046203B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2017-10-16 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US15/852,374 US10166440B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2017-12-22 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US16/227,204 US10463917B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2018-12-20 | Golf ball dimple profile |
US16/673,742 US10799765B2 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2019-11-04 | Golf ball dimple profile |
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---|---|---|---|---|
US20140187355A1 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2014-07-03 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimple profile |
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US10241967B2 (en) | 2011-12-30 | 2019-03-26 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimples defined by superposed curves |
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US8137217B2 (en) * | 2009-03-20 | 2012-03-20 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimple profile |
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Cited By (5)
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US10241967B2 (en) | 2011-12-30 | 2019-03-26 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimples defined by superposed curves |
US20140187355A1 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2014-07-03 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimple profile |
US8894510B2 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2014-11-25 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimple profile |
US20150045150A1 (en) * | 2012-12-31 | 2015-02-12 | Acushnet Company | Golf ball dimple profile |
US20180178070A1 (en) * | 2016-12-26 | 2018-06-28 | Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. | Golf ball |
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US8137217B2 (en) | 2012-03-20 |
US8632426B2 (en) | 2014-01-21 |
US20120178551A1 (en) | 2012-07-12 |
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